PHILADANCO! Roots and Reflections, April 12-14

Ensemble Arts, the new presenting brand of the Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Philadelphia Orchestra, presents the return of PHILADANCO!, the renowned Philadelphia Dance Company, to the Perelman Theater with their new show, Roots and Reflections, from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14, 2024. With Roots and Reflections, PHILADANCO! takes a trip down memory lane, revisiting masterpieces and iconic pieces that are ingrained in the foundation of PHILADANCO!’s extraordinary legacy.

Audiences will witness one of America’s top dance companies share fresh and fervent stories through movement. The season will feature their most requested ballets, including George Faison’s “Suite Otis” performed in Faison’s typical playful modern jazz style and inspired by the genius of the late Otis Redding. From Ronald K. Brown, “Gate Keepers” is a story of homage, celebration, and an acknowledgment of conscious continuity, interconnectedness, history, tradition, and perseverance. “Pretty Is Skin Deep, Ugly to the Bone” by Talley Beatty is a modern jazz ballet in his usual style of inner-city interaction and challenge; and Harold Pierson’s “Roots & Reflections” celebrates 100 years of African American dance history.

PHILADANCO!, founded in 1970 by the legendary Joan Myers Brown, is famous for its artistic integrity, highly trained dancers, and electrifying performances. PHILADANCO!’s legacy is a blazing trail of bridging cultures and tearing down barriers. With its original mission of providing Black dancers with performance opportunities, the company’s eye for inclusion has always infused every performance with invigorating energy for diverse audiences. Using both its platform and hope for a better future, PHILADANCO! also commits itself to empowering youth with developmental and leadership skills that facilitate achievement and success in the world of dance and beyond.

“For decades, PHILADANCO! has shattered boundaries and fostered community across cultural divides,” said President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “Roots and Reflections will revisit some of the most iconic masterpieces from the past 50 years, offering a poignant retrospective of the company’s groundbreaking work and lasting legacy.”

“PHILADANCO! has a long history and commitment to the brilliant legacy of Black Artistic Excellence; it’s the fabric of the company. We present this spring season entitled Roots and Reflection, which is truly an experience you don’t want to miss!” said Joan Myers Brown, Founder of PHILADANCO!.

PHILADANCO! Roots and Reflections
Friday, April 12, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Perelman Theater, 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street